"For the first time since the program began 14 years ago, a California governor is planning on spending significantly less on California's popular, but expensive, class-size reduction program than in previous years.
In his budget released Jan. 8, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger projected spending $340 million less than anticipated during the current school year, and $550 million less in the school year beginning in September. Together, the reductions would save the state nearly $900 million.
This would mark a huge rollback of the program that now costs the state about $1.8 billion a year. Since 1996, California has spent about $22 billion on the program, making it the most expensive education reform program in California's history.
Schwarzenegger administration officials say they are just responding to decisions made by local districts that have already increased K-3 class sizes this year, or plan to next year, and therefore qualify for a reduced subsidy from the state."